Recycle

Tips for Recycling

All residents and commercial properties in Dakota County, including multifamily, must recycle a designated list of materials and all haulers serving Dakota County must accept these items.

Follow these rules to ensure your recycling gets recycled:

  • Do not use plastic bags. Place recyclables loose in your recycling cart or in a paper bag.
  • Empty and dry bottles, jars and containers. They don't have to be perfect — just free of most residue.
  • Leave caps on containers.
  • Empty and flatten boxes.
  • Check the Recycling Guide if you are not sure about an item.
Safe to Recycle Examples:
Paper Newspaper & inserts
  Magazines & catalogs
  Mail & office papers
Cardboard Corrugated cardboard
  Paperboard (such as cracker boxes)
Cartons Milk & juice cartons
  Soup, broth, and wine cartons
  Juice boxes
Metal Cans Aluminum, tin, and steel cans
Glass Bottles & Jars  
Plastic Bottles, Containers & Jugs Containers numbered 1, 2, or 5
  Soda, juice and water bottles
  Milk and juice jugs
  Margarine, cottage cheese, and other tubs and lids
  Laundry detergent bottles and jugs
  Clear berry and produce containers

NOT SAFE: Do NOT place in curbside Recycling Bins

  • Batteries
  • Black plastic
  • Ceramic dishware
  • Clothing and textiles
  • Food
  • Household hazardous waste/hazardous waste
  • Paper plates, cups, and napkins
  • Diapers
  • Pharmaceuticals and medicines/medical waste
  • Plastic bags and film
  • Metal cylinders (such as propane tanks)
  • Scrap metal* (such as pots and pans)
  • Shredded paper*
  • Styrofoam
  • Tanglers (such as chains, extension cords, hoses, string lights)
  • Trash
  • Yard waste and Christmas trees
  • All items banned from being placed in the trash or recycling in state or local law, including: electronics, major appliances, sharps (lancetts, needles, syringes), tires

*Scrap metal and shredded paper are allowed in carts and dumpsters only if delivered to the Tennis Sanitation recycling facility.